TV On The Radio @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, July 20, 2011

 

 

The wonderful thing about live music is you never know what will happen ... no two shows are ever the same and a band can either blow you away or bore you to tears.  I'd seen TV On The Radio a few times over the years and liked them but never really loved them until the Commodore show.  Maybe it was me, maybe it was them but on this night, I fell in love.  They were perfect and I'm just happy I got to witness it.

Neko Case @ Stanley Park, Vancouver, July 9, 2011

Free show!  Free show!  And you know, I've paid money to see Neko Case before so a free show (to celebrate Vancouver's 125th birthday) was a no-brainer.  It didn't rain, Stanley Park is lovely,  Neko and her band were on fine form and I was home by about 10 ... a superb night all round, really.

Anna Calvi @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, June 2, 2011

 

Anna Calvi is good.  She's got a wonderful voice and is a terrific guitar player.  Her guitar playing definitely stood out and I was very impressed, but ... I wasn't blown away by her set.  I'm not sure why but I think it's to do with her 'image' ... it all seems a bit fake, like she's trying to be something she's not.  It's a shame because she's very talented and her performances should be special.

Stornoway @ Media Club, Vancouver, June 1, 2011

I really enjoyed the set when I saw them in December so I was pretty happy when Stornoway announced another Vancouver show.  They were better the second time around.  Maybe it was the crowd (most seemed pretty happy about a Canucks win), maybe it was me, but I love this band.  I have no idea why they're not more popular.  They've got everything ... a charming and adorably awkward frontman, great musicians and terrific songs.  Why some bands play stadiums and other bands play tiny clubs is something I will never understand, but as long as the bands I like keep touring and making money, I won't complain too much.  And besides, who wants to see a show in a stadium anyway?

Wolf Parade @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, May 30, 2011

Wolf Parade announced late in 2010 that they were going on 'hiatus' and that their final show was going to be at Sasquatch.  I was very tempted to go to Sasquatch as a result but I thought the rest of the lineup was pretty weak and it turns out it was the right decision since not only were Wolf Parade playing at the same time as Sharon Van Etten (!?!) they announced the Vancouver show for the Monday after they played Sasquatch.  And although festivals are great, the band only played for 45 minutes at Sasquatch ... the Commodore set included two encores and went almost 2 hours.  It must be quite strange for a band to know they're playing songs together for the final time and they seemed a bit nervous early on but after a few songs, they hit their stride and well, I hope it's only a hiatus and not a breakup because Wolf Parade are one of my favourite bands and they're as good as any band I've ever seen live.  I couldn't ask for anything more if it was the final time I get to see them but I really really hope it isn't.

Thao & Mirah @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, May 12, 2011

 

I like Thao so when the show was announced, I bought a ticket without hearing the album thinking that I wouldn't be disappointed.  I was right and in fact, I like Thao & Mirah more than Thao With The Get Down Stay Down (and you know, better band name too).   Their voices go very well together and the album is one of my favourite releases of the year so far.  I was a little disappointed that they didn't play their cover of 'Love Is A Battlefield' but I can't really complain, they put on a great show.